Jul. 25—The city of Albert Lea on Friday announced its second cannabis retailer that is slated to come before the Albert Lea City Council for approval next month.
Christopher Gracia, owner of Matchbox Farms, completed his city registration and was approved for his license through the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management.
Gracia plans to open a cannabis business called Matchbox Farms at 2316 Hendrickson Road, said City Clerk Daphney Maras.
She said Gracia is looking to move to the city from Las Cruces, New Mexico.
The council is slated to vote on issue during its Aug. 11 meeting.
Albert Lea has adopted a limit of two cannabis retailers within city limits. In May, the council voted to fill those two slots on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The council is slated to vote on the first retailer, The Smoking Tree, owned by Jacob Schlichter of Albert Lea, at its Monday meeting.
The council has also discussed whether to open up the number of establishments beyond two, but up to this point, has not taken any formal action on doing so. The state is requiring cities allow a minimum of one establishment per every 12,500 people.
